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Tianeptine chemical structure
Tianeptine

7-((3-Chloro-6,11-dihydro-6-methyldibenzo(c,f)

(1,2)thiazepin-11-yl)amino)heptanoic acid S,S-dioxide
IUPAC name

CAS number
66981-73-5
ATC code

N06AX14

PubChem
68870
DrugBank
[1]
Chemical formula {{{chemical_formula}}}
Molecular weight 436.953 g/mol
Bioavailability 99 +/- 29%[1]
Metabolism hepatic
Elimination half-life 2.5 hours (2.5 +/- 1.1 h)[1]
Excretion Renal[1]
Pregnancy category {{{pregnancy_category}}}
Legal status {{{legal_status}}}
Routes of administration Oral

Tianeptine (INN) (Stablon®, Coaxil®, Tatinol®), is described as a selective serotonin reuptake enhancer (SSRE), structurally similar to the tricyclic antidepressants. Unlike the tricyclics, however, it enhances the reuptake of serotonin instead of blocking it. Interestingly, tianeptine along with its two metabolites (S8849, S3139) does not affect uptake of monoamines (i.e. DA, 5-HT, and noradrenaline) in vitro. Results from in vivo studies confirm that monoamine reuptake is enhanced, suggesting a mechanism independent of SERT.[2] No data is available regarding effects of the drug on postsynaptic receptors.

Tianeptine is claimed to have strong antidepressant and anxiolytic properties with a relative lack of sedative, anticholinergic and cardiovascular adverse effects, thus suggesting it is particularly suitable for use in elderly patients and in those following alcohol withdrawal; such patients can be more sensitive to the adverse effects of psychotropic drugs.

Currently, tianeptine is approved in France and manufactured and marketed by Laboratoires Servier SA; it is also marketed in a number of other European countries as well as in Asia and Latin America.

Uses[]

Approved[]

Tianeptine shows efficacy against serious depressive episodes (major depression), comparable to amitriptyline, imipramine and fluoxetine, but with fewer side effects. It was shown to be more effective than maprotiline in a group of patients with co-existing depression and anxiety. Tianeptine also displays significant anxiolytic properties and is useful in treating a spectrum of anxiety disorders including panic disorder, as evidenced by a study in which those administered 35% CO2 gas on paroxetine (Paxil) or tianeptine (Stablon) therapy showed equivalent panic-blocking effects.[3]

Investigational, off-label, and unapproved[]

Tianeptine has been reported to be very effective for asthma starting in August of 1998, when Dr. Fuad Lechin and colleagues at the Central University of Venezuela Institute of Experimental Medicine in Caracas published the results of a 52-week randomized controlled trial of asthmatic children; the children in the groups that received tianeptine had a sharp decrease in clinical rating and increased lung function.[4] Two years earlier, they had found a close, positive association between free serotonin in plasma and severity of asthma in symptomatic patients.[5] As tianeptine was the only agent known to reduce both free serotonin in plasma and enhance uptake in platelets, they decided to use it to see if reducing free serotonin levels in plasma would help.[4] By November of 2004, there had been two double-blind placebo-controlled crossover trials, and a 25,000+ patient open-label study lasting over seven years, all showing effectiveness.[6]

A 2005 study in Egypt demonstrated tianeptine to be effective in men with depression and erectile dysfunction.[7]

Tianeptine is also being studied in the treatment of ADD/ADHD, while a new clinical trial will begin in 2007 for treatment of fibromyalgia.[2][3]

Contraindications[]

According to Servier International, tianeptine is contraindicated in children under 15 years of age, people taking MAOIs, and pregnant or lactating women.[8] However, as of 2005, there are no studies published showing increased risk of birth defects.[9]

Side effects[]

Tianeptine was both studied for short-term (3 month) and long-term treatment (12 months) and equally well tolerated. The studies encompassed 1,300 to nearly 3,000 patients each.

Side effects are as follows (Amitriptyline vs Tianeptine):

  • dry mouth (38 vs 20%)
  • constipation (19 vs 15%)
  • dizziness/syncope (23 vs 13%)
  • drowsiness (17 vs 10%)
  • postural hypotension (8 vs 3%)
  • Insomnia and nightmares occur more often in tianeptine than in amitriptyline recipients (7 vs 20%)

Costa e Silva and colleagues at the Jardim Botanico in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil reported a greater frequency of headaches in the tianeptine group as compared with placebo.[10]

So far neither seizures nor kidney or bone marrow damage have been noted.

Liver toxicity has been observed very rarely, as is the case with amineptine, however, this is thought to be due to genetic predisposition and is often preceded by rash, itching, fever, and/or abdominal pain.

Sema Gülen Yıldırım and colleagues reported in 2004 of a case of hypomania caused by tianeptine.[11]

Drug interactions[]

No sufficient data available at present date.

Usual doses[]

Although Servier's official recommendation is 12.5mg three times per day before the main meals of the day, lower or higher doses may be used as determined by your prescribing physician.

Coping with suicide risks[]

As is generally true for activating/nonsedating antidepressants, particularly agitated patients or those developing increase of energy together with suicidal thoughts before remission occurs will normally need initial comedication (1 to 4 weeks) with an effective sedating drug such as a benzodiazepine, barbiturate or neuroleptic. Additionally, hospitalisation of these patients is desirable (close observation possible). These measures to lower the risk of suicide should be continued until remission of depression is stable.

Abuse potential[]

Relatively rare and only seen thus far in a few patients with previous or pre-existing multi-substance abuse disorders. One patient reportedly consumed a total of 240 tablets per day for several months and was later successfully detoxified in an inpatient setting. Singapore has restricted the prescription of tianeptine to psychiatrists. Bahrain has designated tianeptine a controlled substance.

See also[]

References[]

  1. 1.0 1.1 1.2 Royer RJ, Albin H, Barrucand D, Salvadori-Failler C, Kamoun A (1988). Pharmacokinetic and metabolic parameters of tianeptine in healthy volunteers and in populations with risk factors.. Clinical Neuropharmacology 11 (Suppl 2): S90-6. PMID 3180120. List of Library Holdings Worldwide
  2. Mennini T, Mocaer E, Garattini S (1987). Tianeptine, a selective enhancer of serotonin uptake in rat brain.. Naunyn-Schmiedeberg's Archives of Pharmacology 336 (5): 478-82. PMID 3437921. List of Library Holdings Worldwide
  3. Schruers, Koen, Eric Griez (2004). The effects of tianeptine or paroxetine on 35% CO2 provoked panic in panic disorder.. Journal of Psychopharmacology 18 (4): 553-8. PMID 15582922.
  4. 4.0 4.1 Lechin F, van der Dijs B, Orozco B, Jara H, Rada I, Lechin ME, Lechin AE (1998). The serotonin uptake-enhancing drug tianeptine suppresses asthmatic symptoms in children: a double-blind, crossover, placebo-controlled study.. Journal of Clinical Pharmacology 38 (10): 918-25. PMID 9807972. Fulltext options (subscription required) List of Library Holdings Worldwide
  5. Lechin F, van der Dijs B, Orozco B, Lechin M, Lechin AE (1996). Increased levels of free serotonin in plasma of symptomatic asthmatic patients.. Annals of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology : Official Publication of the American College of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology 77 (3): 245-53. PMID 8814052. List of Library Holdings Worldwide
  6. Lechin F, van der Dijs B, Lechin AE (2004). Treatment of bronchial asthma with tianeptine.. Methods and Findings in Experimental and Clinical Pharmacology 26 (9): 697-701.
  7. El-Shafey, Hany, Ahmad Atteya, Samir Abu el-Magd, Ahmad Hassanein, Ahmad Fathy, and Rany Shamloul (2005). Tianeptine Can Be Effective in Men with Depression and Erectile Dysfunction. Journal of Sexual Medicine 0 (0).
  8. Les Labotoires Servier (2005). STABLON (Tianeptine) - Summary of Product Characteristics. STABLON (Tianeptine) - OVERVIEW. Servier International. URL accessed on 8 October, 2005.
  9. Google search of The National Center for Biotechnology Information website for articles containing "tianeptine" and "prenatal". URL accessed on 20 October, 2005.
  10. Costa e Silva JA, Ruschel SI, Caetano D, Rocha FL, da Silva Lippi JR, Arruda S, Ozun M (1997). Placebo-controlled study of tianeptine in major depressive episodes.. Neuropsychobiology 35 (1): 24-9. PMID 9018020. List of Library Holdings Worldwide
  11. Template:Tr icon Yıldırım, Sema Gülen, Ayşe Devrim Başterzi and Erol Göka (2004). Tianeptinin Neden Olduğu Hipomani; Bir Olgu Sunumu / Tianeptine Induced Mania: A Case Report. Klinik Psikiyatri Dergisi 7 (4): 177-180.

External links[]


Antidepressants (ATC N06A) edit
Monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOI) Harmaline, Iproclozide, Iproniazid, Isocarboxazid, Nialamide, Phenelzine, Selegiline, Toloxatone, Tranylcypromine
Reversible inhibitor of monoamine oxidase A (RIMA) Brofaromine, Moclobemide
Dopamine reuptake inhibitor (DARI) Amineptine, Phenmetrazine, Vanoxerine, Modafinil
Norepinephrine-dopamine reuptake inhibitors Bupropion
Norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (NRI) or (NARI) Atomoxetine, Maprotiline, Reboxetine, Viloxazine
Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake inhibitor (SNRI) Duloxetine, Milnacipran, Venlafaxine
Selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) Alaproclate, Etoperidone, Citalopram, Escitalopram, Fluoxetine, Fluvoxamine, Paroxetine, Sertraline, Zimelidine
Selective serotonin reuptake enhancer (SSRE) Tianeptine
Tricyclic antidepressants (TCA) Amitriptyline, Amoxapine, Butriptyline, Clomipramine, Desipramine, Dibenzepin, Dothiepin, Doxepin, Imipramine, Iprindole, Lofepramine, Melitracen, Nortriptyline, Opipramol, Protriptyline, Trimipramine
Tetracyclic antidepressants Maprotiline, Mianserin, Nefazodone, Trazodone
Noradrenergic and specific serotonergic antidepressant (NaSSA) Mirtazapine
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